Reflecting on the Privilege of Giving Back
“There’s a recognition that as a Bay Street firm, we’re very privileged to do what we do and to be in a society that values our paid work so much. So, it’s imperative that we give back to communities that have been less advantaged and have faced systemic racism and structural disadvantages. That’s part of our professional duty and also what I think part of being a lawyer is: recognizing injustices in the world, not just for your paying clients, but also for people who are suffering in society. And then trying, in some way, to address those things. If every lawyer felt the same way, collectively, we could have a big impact.”
Carla Potter
CHAIR, CRC
Community Commitments
Cassels provides diversity training to all members of the firm on a regular basis. We worked with the Law Society of Ontario’s Equity Advisor to develop tailor-made training that would resonate with our firm and help our lawyers and staff recognize diversity issues and make respectful choices when interacting with each other, our clients, and the public.
Daffodil Ball
The Canadian Cancer Society’s signature annual event in Vancouver, the Daffodil Ball, has become the largest cancer fundraising event in Canada, raising $20 million for cancer research since 1996.
Cassels has been a supporter and sponsor of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Daffodil Ball for the past decade. Cassels partner Jennifer Traub has played an integral role in the planning and success of the Ball since 2014, including securing the diamonds donated by Lucara Diamond for the Gala raffle and filling the room with generous donors.
United Way
Every day, United Way works to improve lives locally and create opportunities for everyone in our communities.
Across Canada, United Way’s work focuses on three key strategies: moving people from poverty to possibility; helping kids be all they can be; and building strong and healthy communities.
Cassels raised funds through the participation of staff and lawyers in a variety of virtual events (including virtual trivia and a talent show), individual donations, and a firm donation. The funds raised by the Committee helped support United Way’s community work across Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Community Support
Cassels also supports a wide range of other community events, educational programs, and organizations at both a local and national level.
Community Partner Profile
An Interview With Lola Adeyemi
Community Partner Profile
An Interview With Steve Mesler
Student Community Engagement
Students at Cassels are a critical part of the future success of the firm. We hire smart, diverse, accomplished individuals whose unique attributes are welcomed and celebrated.
In 2021, we retained Dr. Hadiya Roderique to review our student recruitment process nationally and to make suggestions on ways to continue to reduce bias in our recruitment process to attract the best student talent.
We provide our students meaningful work opportunities, listen to their ideas, incorporate their feedback, invest in their professional growth, and foster an environment where they can thrive.
Students play an active role in our inclusion and diversity programing and initiatives within and outside the firm and are encouraged to get involved in our firm Affinity Groups. Both summer and articling students at Cassels have participated in a wide variety of charitable endeavours in our communities in past years.
AIDSbeat
Annual rock ‘n’ roll battle of the bands charity bash organized by Toronto’s legal community in support of Canadian HIV and AIDS research.
Annual Bay Street Charity Beach Volleyball Tournament
Annual fundraiser in support of a different Toronto charity each year.
Daily Bread Food Bank Law Firm Challenge
Annual fundraising competition among articling students at law firms with offices in Toronto to fight hunger in Toronto.
Give a Night to World AIDS
A social night event in the legal community in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa.
United Way
Cassels students play a key role in organizing the firm’s annual United Way campaign.
Power To Be
A charity adventure that creates access to nature-based programs for youth, families, and adults from historically marginalized groups.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Annual day of community giving that supports Ronald McDonald Houses and local children’s charities across Canada.
Sun Life Ride To Defeat Diabetes for JDRF
A virtual event among corporate Canada to raise funds towards a world without type 1 diabetes.
Commitment to Legal Community
Cassels is committed to investing in the education and development of future members of the legal profession. We directly support several law school events, student programs, groups, and awards.
OSGOODE HALL LAW SCHOOL
Asian Law Students Association of Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Muslim Law Students’ Association – a fundraiser at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, in recognition of the fifth anniversary of the attack on a mosque in Québec City.
Osgoode Professionalism Award – Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Osgoode Women’s Network – Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
OUTLAWS Wendy Babcock Drag Show – an event hosted by Osgoode Hall Law School’s OUTLAWS to raise funds for the Wendy Babcock Social Justice Scholarship.
FEDERATION OF ASIAN CANADIAN LAWYERS
Annual Mentorship Roundtable and Mixer – a virtual evening event hosted by the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, BC Chapter. The event provides students an opportunity to speak with several lawyers to learn more about different legal practice areas.
BC Gala – an annual gala/conference hosted by the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, BC Chapter. The event celebrates accomplishments within the pan-Asian Canadian legal community.
PETER A. ALLARD SCHOOL OF LAW – UBC
Women in Law Dinner – an annual event that brings together students, faculty, and legal professionals at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, to recognize the legal community’s progress towards gender equality while drawing attention to the work that remains to be done.
CASSELS
Cassels Cup – an annual moot competition between first-year law students from the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, and Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
Hosting law firm visits for groups of students historically underrepresented in the legal field: 2SLGBTQ+, internationally trained, and Black law students.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FACULTY OF LAW
Black Future Lawyers – a collaboration among the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, and partner law firms to invest in the future of Canada’s next generation of Black lawyers.
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
Business Law Clinic – a free legal information clinic at the University of Victoria that is staffed by upper year law students who have demonstrated an interest in providing business law services to the community.
UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR FACULTY OF LAW
JD/MBA Prize – Faculty of Law, University of Windsor
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Student Internship in Mining Finance – Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Law Career Day – Faculty of Law, University of Calgary
JEWISH LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
International Holocaust Remembrance Day – an annual event hosted by Jewish Law Students’ Associations across Ontario.
DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY
Law Orientation Week – Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
BLACK LAW STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
Black Law Students’ Association National Conference – an annual conference to support the development of Black law students in the legal community.
INDSPIRE – INDIGENOUS EDUCATION, CANADA’S FUTURE
A national, Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, including the sponsorship of Indigenous students to attend law school.
JD BRIDGES FOUNDATION
A non-profit organization that offers financial assistance and mentorship for Black students in Canada who are applying to law school.
LAW IN ACTION WITHIN SCHOOLS
An education and support program that exposes participating high school students to legal thinking and the justice system through workshops, mentorship, and employment programs.
KOREAN CANADIAN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
Korean Canadian Lawyers Scholarship Program
Reflecting on the Commitment to Progress
“The fact that I’m in the position I’m in, and that I got here championing inclusion and diversity as one of my very core values within the firm, I think sends a helpful message that the firm doesn’t just talk the talk, but actually walks the walk. And if you look at the class of partners that we just promoted, that is a testament to what we’re doing. It is one thing to bring in a diverse class from law school, it’s another to retain and promote them. The hiring is not easy, but it’s the easiest piece. The harder piece is creating an environment where lawyers can grow, flourish, and get promoted. Seeing such a diverse class being promoted to partnership this past year said to me we’re not perfect, but we’re making progress.”
KRISTIN Taylor
Managing Partner
